Concrete vs Clay Roofing Tiles

Concrete roofing tiles are a popular, budget-friendly alternative to traditional clay roofing tiles. Concrete tiles have a long lifespan up to 50 years, require low maintenance, offer good fire protection (Class A rated), and are resistant to rot and insects. They are also considerably lighter in weight than clay tiles, preventing the structural problems often associated with clay tiles. Concrete tiles are extremely durable, and their strength is reinforced by the interlocking mode that has been developed in new roofing installation processes for concrete tiles.

Concrete Tile Roof Costs

The average installation price for a concrete tile roof costs anywhere between $20,000 to $40,000 depending on a few factors such as the size of your home. You can expect to pay $3 to $5 per square foot or $300 to $500 per square installed. Costs will vary depending on average local prices in your area. Concrete roofing tiles are often cheaper to install than clay roofing tiles. Tile roof installation costs will vary by region, it’s best to get at least four quotes before hiring a contractor.

Concrete Tile Weight

The heaviness of concrete tiles are something to think about as you research installing a concrete roof on your home. Concrete tiles are more than twice as heavy as asphalt shingles, so unless your home has previously had a tile roof, you will need to have your home evaluated by a structural engineer to make sure it can handle the weigh of your new roof. A qualified local roofing installation contractor will be able to evaluate this for you. If your home needs additional structural support, this could increase the total cost of installation by thousands of dollars.

Concrete Roof Underlayment

One of the great things about concrete tile roofs is that they last for a long time. However, the roof underlayment beneath them isn’t quite as staunch, and it will need to be replaced every 20 years. Concrete tiles are also somewhat fragile in spite of their durability, so make sure you only allow an experienced concrete tile installer on your roof, even for a seemingly easy roof repair project no matter what type of roofing tiles you install. The good news is that when it comes to maintenance, the most you’ll need to do (unless the concrete tiles incur damage) is lightly rinse them once a year.

Concrete Roof Tile Maintenance

While concrete tiles are designed to be long lasting, their maintenance is important to prevent major problems such as leaking roofs, but also to preserve the color of the tiles and the overall decorative appeal of your roof. Consider trimming or removing overhanging trees to prevent moisture buildup from moss or lichen growth. Unlike with clay tiles, you can use a pressure washer to clean your concrete tile roof, but use the concrete-rating nozzle and wash from a distance of 3-4 feet to avoid forcing water underneath the tiles.